The Indian Railways has devised a unique plan for redeveloping Puri railway station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. In tie up with Rath Architectonic, the station’s principal architects, plans to integrate three wheels from the Chariot of the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra into the station’s design.
Every year after the conclusion of the Rath Yatra, the three chariots are disassembled, and their timber is repurposed for cooking dishes for the gods in the temple kitchen which is famously known as ‘’Kotha Bhoga’’. However, this year, the Indian Railways plans to procure one wheel from each of the three chariots during the upcoming Rath Yatra which will take place in late June or early July. These wheels will represent symbolic focal points within the redeveloped Puri railway station.
Puri Railways Station redevelopment plan under Amrit Bharat Scheme:
The redeveloped station is expected to be completed by July this year and it aims to provide world-class amenities concerning the rich cultural heritage of Puri. The placement of these wheels at the station will not only pay homage to Puri’s traditions but also create a spiritual gateway for devotees and tourists arriving in Puri.
The station’s design is based on local culture, with the ‘Three Chariot Wheel’ theme seamlessly integrated into the concourse, explained Prateek Rath, who is one of the principal architects. This festival, known as the Ratha Jatra in the local Odia language, celebrates Lord Jagannath’s journey with his siblings from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha temple, he added.
Puri Railway Station’s salient features will include:
The redeveloped station will boost traditional architectural features while blending modern amenities to accommodate future passenger footfall. The restoration plan will include having three floors, well equipped with an array of amenities like energy efficient design and spacious parking slot. The motive behind this initiative by the Indian Railways is to transform the outlook of Puri railway station into a monument that will reflect the grandeur of Odisha’s iconic temple, leaving a lasting impression on the tourists as well on the passengers. Indian Railways is expecting an estimated 40,000 passengers to arrive at the station by 2060-65, this is the core reason behind the expansion of the Puri Railway station.
(With PTI inputs)